No assembly RequireD

There are a lot of Spider-Mans out there. Whether it be in the real world with our many comic and screen adaptations or in the Spider-Verse aka the multiverse viewers and readers have heard so much about over the past few years. With so many Spider-Mans, Spider-Women, Spider-cats, spider-dinosaurs, spider…okay you get it there’s a lot, so how does one stand out. That continues to be the problem for young Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) Brooklyn’s one and only Spider-Man (at least in his universe). Morales after saving the day, with many Spider friends, in 2018’s “Into the Spider-Verse” has found himself becoming slightly more comfortable being Spider-Man but losing himself as Miles. He misses his friend Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and still doesn’t know how he is supposed to stand out as Miles in a world where so many don’t know who he really is. In other words he’s another Spider-Man and the latest iteration SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE could have settled for that simple premise of Spider-Man lost in the normal world. But instead directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson and a team of over a thousand animators have decided to reach their web-slinging powers even further giving us not just the best Spider-Man film since Raimi’s ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE is also a testament to what animation can and should be; a work of art. ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE is a painting in every frame, a visual treat for the eyes and a mesmerizing observation on if tragedy is needed to define Spider-Man. The character may be everywhere nowadays but ACROSS shows that this is the only one worth saving.

ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE wants to do things differently, at least that’s what the first words of the film are uttered by Gwen Stacy. Gwen much like Miles and akin to all Spider people is dealing with her own tragedy. After the death of her own Peter Parker she has been on the run from her police captain father (Shea Whigham) who holds her Spider-Woman responsible. It doesn’t help that she too cant enter the multiverse to visit Miles, that is until a mysterious Spider-Man known as Miguel O’ Hara (Oscar Isaac) and Jessica Drew (Issa Rae) reluctantly allow her to join their elite Spider Society. But they only accept her and have no intention of bringing in Miles much to her plea. So what does this leave Miles to do but to keep New York safe and beg his parents, Officer Davis and Rio Morales (Brian Tyree Henry and Luna Lauren Velez respectively) to let him apply to college at Princeton even though its all the way in New Jersey!! (the horror!). It also doesn’t help that there seems to be yet another villain of the week this time in the form of a bizarre and humorous pale man covered in spots appropriately deemed well The Spot (Jason Schwartzman making us both laugh and feel quite uneasy). Miles has become cocky as Spider-Man and ignores the threats of The Spot regarding being his ultimate nemesis. That is until it becomes clear The Spot has the ability to open up the multiverse causing a visit from his friend Gwen. If all this seems like a lot that is because it is. ACROSS is treated like most sequels in the whole go bigger atmosphere, but what it does better than most (like almost every sequel of the past two decades) is that it stays true to the growth of Miles and not just Spider-Man. Everything Miles does affects his parents and his mother continues to remind him that it is difficult to watch him grow when she knows the world will never love and protect him the way she and her husband do. She also reminds him to never let others reject him for anything different he may carry. A strong sentiment that has more weight to it than first appears. One of the beauties of this film is that no moment seems to be wasted and the moments with Miles and his family will carry into every bit of universe jumping action.

ACROSS is also the kind of film that much like today’s superhero films are riddled with moments that if spoiled would piss off even the average moviegoer. But while superhero films today are stock full of cameos, easter eggs and other nonsense, ACROSS treats these moments less with pandering to the audience who need more and more and instead an appreciation of every Spider-Man, Spider-Woman and creature that wears the mask. It knows the journey the character(s) have been on but wants to pay respect while still questioning many of the motivations that have been given over the years. Without saying too much Miles eventually finds out that his story as Spider-Man must also follow the same path as all those that came before him, at least that is what Miguel has learned to believe. ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE may shock those with its darker and more mature themes of death, growth and responsibility. If writers Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Dave Callaham are following in their Star Wars inspirations then this is their “Empire Strikes Back,” but instead of wearing its inspirations heavy it creates its own path that feels less cinematic trilogy then it does an amazing comic book arc. After all every frame is a comic strip come to life. In fact not enough can ever be said about the animation which again involved animators from all around the world and consists of every form you’ve come to love in a punk rock fashion (heck there’s even a scene stealer Spider-Punk himself).

While there are many moments and things that will make the Spider-Man fan go nuts, the film never forgets that the main slate of characters continue to be remarkably engaging which can be credited to some truly great voice acting. Shameik Moore as Miles is more comfortable in the character allowing for growth seen in both the performance and story. Oscar Isaac is a sharp treat as a devious and tragic Miguel and returning Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker fits so naturally you can hardly remember another Peter Parker. But with all these wonderful male performances it’s the women that leave the strongest mark. Luna Lauren Velez’s role as Mile’s mom is expanded greatly. There is such gentleness while still carrying that wonderful Latina mother anger. Rio Morales not only gets some of the biggest laughs (and some in Spanish!) she also will break even the coldest of hearts with her moments of unconditional love for her son. Previous Spider-Men may have had Aunt May, but we have never gotten a true adaptation of a Spider-Man mother and Rio has already solidified herself as an iconic character. To add to all this is Hailee Steinfeld who gives the film’s best performance as Gwen. A voice acting career could easily be in the works for her if she wanted. Her Gwen has to carry the weight of every movement from all the characters especially knowing what happens to Gwens in the other universes. It is a strong and necessary script choice to remind us that while Gwen’s death in other iterations affects Peter, how would it affect the one Gwen who has not met that fate, or at least hasn’t met it yet. Her love for Miles is this wonderful mixture of stronger than friends feeling but knowing every outcome that can come from it. Steinfeld and Moore work magic when they are together giving the film its probably most jaw dropping visual moments elevated by their chemistry that everyone with a bigger than a crush feeling has felt.

ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE may have plenty of more up its sleeve by the time its shocking final frame comes in, but this is never a middle story to step over. No here the filmmakers and animators have created a Spider-Man film so powerful that you wonder what took so long or if those films that came before needed to happen to get to this heavy of a story. Nonetheless here is a film that reminds us that we as audience will continue to love the tragic stories of Spider-Man, but maybe we too have been looking at it wrong the whole time. Does Spider-Man truly have to go heartache to wear the mask. And if both Spider-Verse films promise us that anyone can wear the mask maybe it’s all our turn to change the narrative. To no longer allow tragedy be our own defining trait, but instead listen to Mama Morales and embrace the difference and never let the world reject us. Pretty good advice from your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man cinematic masterpiece.  

A

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE IS IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE